Monthly Musing – June 2019 – Good intentions

I’ve been going to a new yoga class with big daughter. It’s run by one of the teachers whom big daughter has got to know through her university yoga society, and having been to a few classes now, I can see why she is keen for us to keep attending.
“I want you to feel better when you leave than you did when you arrived,” she says, and we do.

One of the things that I like best about the class is that right at the beginning, the teacher asks everyone to set an intention for themselves. Not a “when I get home I’m going to do all the ironing, cut the grass, write 15 blog posts and knit all the pairs of socks hiding in project bags” kind of intention, but more to do with balance and flow in our lives. She encourages us to think about what might be out of balance (you’ve only got to look at that earlier sentence to see that my to-do list compared to my sit-and-rest list might be a bit out of kilter!) or what might not be flowing quite right. It’s a moment for reflection and it’s probably just as well that we’re all sitting there with our eyes shut as it always makes me rather emotional! The idea is that you carry the intention with you for the rest of the day; something calm to help you deal with the to-do list that you go back to.

I’ve been trying recently to bring that practice into my morning routine. It’s not easy when you try to combine staying in bed till the last possible minute with making sandwiches (no, I never remember to do them the night before), rounding up PE kit, school bags and small daughter (never where I think any of them should be), feeding mithering pets and any of the umpteen things that seem to need doing in the morning despite my best intentions to be organised. I am doing my best, though, and this week I’ve found myself a few moments to sit quietly and think about what I would like my day to be like. It does seem to help, and I am finding that I am feeling calmer about all the things that I have to do.

Yoga isn’t for everyone, but the idea of taking a few moments each morning to think about how you would like your life to be, to imagine that your day is flowing smoothly and successfully, and to listen to your breathing, the birdsong outside, even the rhythm of cars as they pass by on the road, is something that I am all in favour of. We have to take these moments of stillness when we can in our busy lives, and most importantly, not feel guilty about sitting for even just five minutes. After all, if we don’t look after ourselves, how can we hope to look after others? It’s only by doing that, I think, that we really can leave the day – never mind the yoga class – feeling better than when we arrived.

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4 Responses

  1. Shelagh says:

    A yoga class started up at my village hall at the tail end of last year and I've been going twice a week ever since! I love it 🙂 I feel so loose and relaxed afterwards. I really struggled at first. About 40 minutes in, I'd be looking at the clock because I was knackered! Now, the hour just flies by 😀 That cuppa I have when I get home is the best cuppa of the day.

  2. Susan Rayner says:

    I have been practising yoga once and sometimes twice a week for the past seven years after a 20 odd year gap and try to do a little at home every morning immediately after my shower – it really makes you feel so much better even it is purely the physical exercise! Like dog walking it sorts out the lists that live in your head and makes everything feel more manageable! I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as you seem to!!!

  3. My Creative Life says:

    Though I'm not into yoga, I agree that we all need to slow down a bit and rest. To have quiet times of peace has got to be good. To start the day right, to end the day right etc.
    When the boys were at primary school, after lunch I'd sit and read for about 45 mins approx before walking to collect them. It was a good habit of peace and calm, I should get back to it. I've put a book on a favourite chair with this in mind but sadly I've not always taken the time to sit and read. I ought to leave my phone in the kitchen, that'll help. Cx

  4. Judith says:

    Nice thoughts.

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